THE UNIVERSITY DARRY KANSAN MONDAY,MAY 7,2007
NEWS
5A
WASHINGTON (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
on, Washington was determined to shine on the gridiron.
"Until I'm physically unable to play, I'm going to play football." Washington said.
He shined at Detroit's Crockett High School, playing defensive end and tight end. In one game, Washington recorded 17 tackles, three sacks, and three forced fumbles.
"I just would not stop" Washington said. "I was pretty much reckless."
Washington also excelled on the basketball court, becoming the first freshman to make the school's varsity team. However, his involvement in basketball almost put a premature end to his athletic career.
In a semifinal game, Washington cracked his skull, forcing him to miss the entire rest of the semester. As a result, Washington's grades slipped. The school prevented his return until he was healthy.
Washington's next two years in high school remained a struggle in terms of maintaining his grades. He attended night school from 6 to 10. Monday through Friday, during the year and attended summer school to make up for the missed time.
"I could have easily given up." Washington said.
Washington assumed a bigger role in the family when his father passed away in 1994 from natural causes. He said he assumed the role of dad. His relationship with his mother, Linda Hobbs, and brother became closer than ever.
Moving on
"They are like my pride and joy." Washington said.
Washington continued to work hard his junior and senior years in high school. He raised his overall grade point average and made the NCAA qualifying score on the ACT.
Washington's persistence earned him a spot on the school's academic honor roll.
In addition to his academic improvement, Washington excelled on the football field, leading Crocket to a conference and district title his senior year.
Washington received formal offers from Toledo and Minnesota. Originally committed to Toledo, Washington relieved his original commitment and decided to attend Minnesota.
At Minnesota, Washington met Charlton Keith, future teammate and close friend.
"Eric is one of my closest friends," Keith said, a linebacker with the NFL's Oakland Raiders. "When we all went out together, he was always there."
Keith served as a player host for Minnesota, giving Washington a tour of the football program and campus.
The Golden Gophers coaching staff redshirted Washington. He said he understood the reasoning behind the decision because he did not play linebacker in high school.
But despite learning from the sidelines, Washington did not receive playing time heading into the next season. As a result, Washington left the school.
His next stop was Minnesota West Community College in Worthington, Minn. His close friend, Keith, joined him the same year due to personal reasons. In two seasons, Washington compiled 257 tackles and 20.5 sacks.
"I had to be exceptional," Washington said. "I would run more
than the next man. I felt like I had to prove myself. Every day, I was fighting to prove I was a Division-I player."
Washington also committed himself to academics at the school. He established a close relationship with Cheryl Avenel-Navara, Minnesota West academic counselor.
"Football was important to him because it was a means to an end," Avenel-Navara said. "It was a way to provide for his family. Education was very important to him. Football was how he was going to get it."
Washington worked several summer jobs, including being a dishwasher at a local restaurant so he could afford classes at Minnesota West. Keith said Washington once dug a six-foot hole in the ground, earning $50 and later splitting the money with Keith.
"He's like my big brother," Keith said. "If I need something, he'll give it to me."
Sticking together
After one season at Minnesota West, Keith accepted a football scholarship at Kansas in 2004.
Keith said Washington helped him put together his highlight tape for the Kansas coaching staff.
"Eric worries about other people," Avenel-Navara said. "He cares so deeply."
After the coaching staff viewed Keith's tape, the assistants became interested in other prospects at Minnesota West. Keith told the Kansas coaches that there was one other guy that would make a great fit in Lawrence.
"I stick by those that stuck by me," Keith said, referring to his relationship with Washington.
In 2005, Washington received a call from Dave Doeren, former Kansas co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, about his prospects of playing for the lavhawks.
Washington became interested. He flew to Lawrence, loving the campus, facilities and the players. He always remembered the pact made with Keith.
"We told each other we were going to go to the same school," Washington said.
After a short time, Kansas offered Washington a scholarship.
"I was the happiest man in the
Although Washington's future appeared bright, things did not go smoothly at the beginning as a Jayhawk. Academics posed a real challenge for him.
world," Washington said.
"It was kind of a rough ride the first year." Washington added.
Having to balance class and practice. Washington also endured a series of injuries, particularly with his shoulders.
Held back by injuries
Despite appearing in 11 games during the 2005 season, Washington underwent multiple surgeries on both shoulders in one month's time, forcing him to miss the team's Fort Worth Bowl appearance in December against Houston. The healing process carried over into spring 2006. He missed the annual spring scrimmage in April.
Taking the advice from team doctors and trainers, Washington did not participate in practice until he fully recovered for two-a-day practices. Even then, Washington experienced a mild concussion.
But that wasn't enough to keep Washington out for good.
At the start of the 2006 season, Washington competed in the first two nonconference games, victories against Northwestern State and Louisiana-Monroe. The third game against Toledo, the school he formerly committed to out of high school, proved to be special. His mother and other family members attended the game and watched him play for the first time in six years.
"They felt important," Washington said.
Even though Kansas fell to Toledo in double overtime, Washington felt proud about his family watching from the stands.
Kansas returned to action versus South Florida the next week in Lawrence. For the first time, Washington experienced a feeling like never before as a player. He said his body was starting to shut down throughout the course of the game.
"I couldn't stand up straight," Washington remembered. "Players were noticing that something was wrong with me, I didn't understand what I was doing."
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Senior linebacker Eric Washington was taken off the field at Nebraska last season after injuring his spine. The injury may have been career-ending, desist his efforts to return in the field.
www.ContinuingEd.ku.edu 785-864-5823
Washington said. "I can't be reckless.
He's even considering trying out for the KU bowling team. In hopes of making the team, Washington practices with another avid bowler, former Kansas basketball player Julian Wright.
Kansan correspondent Rahul Sharma can be contacted at editor@kansan.com.
"I'm thinking about it," Washington said with a smile. "I can hit the pins."
Check with your academic advisor before enrolling.
Even while lining up in his stance, Washington felt weak, leaning forward. In the latter moments of the game against South Florida, coaches witnessed Washington's play and consequently took him out of the game.
Today, Washington continues to walk the Kansas campus. He's pursuing a degree in early childhood development and expects to graduate in Mav 2008.
In the following week of practice, the team prepared for a road game against Nebraska, a school that Washington dreamed of playing for as a child. Unfortunately, the next game would be his last.
Edited by Catherine Odson
"I want to work with kids," Washington said. "I feel like I have a lot to offer."
Life after football
While football is out of the realm for Washington, competition isn't. He's picked a new interest — bowling.
Although life without football is not the same for Washington, his mother remains proud of her
son. Washington said his mother believed her son was free from the burden of lofty expectations in football and could focus his life in other areas.
"It's teaching me to be calm."
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